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What is the Worst Shift to Work? Night Shift? Afternoon Shift?

The night shift is difficult physically, but the afternoon shift can be hard on your family and social life.

Be Careful What You Ask For – Part One

Once upon a time, about 28 years ago now, nearly every 24/7 operation in the country was using some version of a rotating 8-hour schedule.Β  Ten years ago, when I asked large groups of employees if any of them have ever worked one of those outdated 8-hour schedules –  inevitably, several hands would go up. … Continue reading “Be Careful What You Ask For – Part One”

Everyone Wants to Work Day Shift, Right? Think again!

We all know that shift work, and especially night shift, is difficult. For some folks, it can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and non-traditional social interactions with friends and family members. As a result, it is a common perception that, when it comes to shift work, everyone would prefer to work the day shift. Over … Continue reading “Everyone Wants to Work Day Shift, Right? Think again!”

How many people does it take to staff your schedule? (Part 2)

There is a short answer and a long answer to this question.Β  Here is a link to the short answer. As for the long answer: Take a look at the “short answer” in the previous blog post.Β  That is a good place to start. The following should be considered to refine the number you get … Continue reading “How many people does it take to staff your schedule? (Part 2)”

Knowing the Unknown

For the last 5 years, much of the work that we, at Shiftwork Solutions, have been asked to perform, has been centered around Work-Life Balance. The reason for this is clear – Low Unemployment. Shiftwork operations tend to have a lot of employees.Β  Β Since this particular resource is scarce during periods of low unemployment, companies … Continue reading “Knowing the Unknown”

How many people does it take to staff your schedule? (Part 1)

As with most shiftwork related issues, the question of “How Many?” has a short and a long answer. Here is a link to the long answer. Let’s start with the short answer. Add up all of the man-hours that need to be covered and divide by 40.Β  For example, if you need 30 people for … Continue reading “How many people does it take to staff your schedule? (Part 1)”

6-day schedules (part 4)

This is the fourth and final post in a series of four posts regarding 6-day schedules.Β  Here are the links to 6-day schedules (part 1), 6-dayΒ  schedules (part 2) and 6-day schedules (part 3). In this post, we will look at two extremes when it comes to covering 6 days.Β  One uses extra staffing to … Continue reading “6-day schedules (part 4)”

The difference between “a schedule” and “your schedule”

The number one way that companies find a shift schedule is to hold a meeting and ask, “So, does anyone know of any shift schedule patterns?” There are several false assumptions built into this methodology.Β  One is that all schedules are created equal; that any schedule that covers the hours needed is as good as … Continue reading “The difference between “a schedule” and “your schedule””

6-day schedules (part 3)

This is the third in a series about 6-day schedules.Β  I recommend you read 6-day schedules (part 1) and 6-day scheduled (part 2) before going forward with this one. Today’s post will begin the focus on a 12-hour schedule pattern for covering 24 hours a day, six days a week. The premise behind this schedule … Continue reading “6-day schedules (part 3)”